bit suggestions??

[esselle]

Hi all! here goes...

just bought a lovely new pony for my daughter.. we have had her a month or so now... she is very green, with a scopey jump, but her flatwork leaves a little to be desired at the moment. We have gone back to basics with her and are trying to help her by lots of schooling, lunging etc.

When we first came to know her, she was almost totally reluctant to take the bit, was very stiff on the right rein (still is, although slowly improving) and did not work on an outline at all (still doesn't). Her back was checked only a few months ago as were her teeth... the vet who vetted her for me said her teeth were fine, if anything had been filed a little short and to leave things alone for a while...

Anyway, we have her in a loose ring snaffle with a lozenge in the middle, but still when working she seems eager to evade a contact and tends to hollow her back and pull her nose behind any contact. My daughter is only 13 and is working hard, but struggling to get her to really accept a contact properly and I was wondering if it might be that she is in a bit she is not happy with? do any of you have any suggestions for something else to try please?

Thank you

 

[Indigo Moose]

Neue Schule Trans Angled Lozenge bits are usually well received, and you can try before you buy as they are pricey.

 

[esselle]

Thank you Indigo Moose... have you used one yourself?

 

[Indigo Moose]

Yes, I used one on my youngster. She wasn't holding the contact very well in a French link, and with the NS it was an instant transformation - she was soft, settled and engaged.

 

[esselle]

thank you ever so much i appreciate that

 

[Tnavas]

Try a Fulmer Snaffle with keepers with a drop noseband. Between them they encourage the pony to reach for the contact and develop confidence. The bit is very still so offers a quiet steady feel. The drop done up with two fingers at the chin groove allows the pony to relax the jaw but prevents it from opening the mouth to evade the contact.

Some bits are so 'noisy' that they activly encourage the pony ro try and evade the contact.

 

[esselle]

Thanks for your suggestion